The United Kingdom is a renowned study destination that draws in many international students because of its high-quality education system. It is said that pursuing an education in the UK is not easy since its admissions process can be rigorous. So, is it possible to secure admission to UK universities that accept low grades or weak academic performance?
Well, it is tough, but isn’t impossible!
In this blog post, MSM Unify discusses your options for studying in the UK despite having poor grades. So, read this blog to explore your options and try the best way to get into a good UK university and elevate your career.
Why choose the UK for higher education?
Before we discuss how to study in the UK despite poor grades, let us understand why it is worth trying. Here are some glorious reasons why you must consider studying in the UK.
1. Good employability
The world recognizes degrees earned from studying in UK universities, and there is a wide range of courses you can choose from. A degree obtained from one looks wonderful on a CV, and holding a diploma from the UK will be a significant advantage when seeking a job in the future, regardless of the field and the location.
Here are some of the most common jobs in the UK that are comparatively easy to avail of and pay well.
| Job profile | Average annual salary (GBP) |
| Data analyst | £35,207 |
| Teacher | £17,179 |
| Account manager | £33,015 |
| Business analyst | £45,132 |
| Software engineer | £50,274 |
| Mechanical engineer | £36,590 |
Please note: The salaries mentioned here serve as a point of reference. The actual amount will depend on the individual’s skill set and credentials.
2. Excellent education system
Higher education in the UK is renowned worldwide for its innovative and demanding settings that encourage students to perform at their top standards. They have highly esteemed qualifications, several academic professionals on faculty, and consistently rank highly in global university rankings.
With its cutting-edge teaching methods, the British educational system has long played an important role as the benchmark for higher education standards all over the world.
3. Multicultural Nation
The UK is a diverse nation that is also a popular destination for foreign students. Because of this diversity, several cultures are present on campuses. You get the opportunity to interact with people from all corners of the world and gain more than what is needed for your education.
4. Abundant work opportunities while studying
In the UK, international students can often work up to 20 hours per week throughout the academic year and 10 hours during vacation. This enables students to work part-time or get an internship, gain experience, and generate income while they are still in school.
Your university might even assist you in obtaining an internship as a requirement for your program, which will provide you with a significant advantage once you finish school.
5. Lower cost of study
Based on where you go to the UK for studies, UK degrees can be completed in 3 or 4 years. The average length of a degree in England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland is three years. Yet, tuition is covered for Scottish students who live in Scotland and attend Scottish universities. In just one year, one can complete an advanced degree.
This suggests that you could pay less for your schooling. Moreover, various grants, scholarships, and bursaries are offered by organizations and the schools themselves.
In addition, the cost of living in the UK for studies is far cheaper than in many other European nations. Students can also take advantage of a wide range of discounts and perks.
The following table entails a list of some of the most affordable universities in the UK and their approximate annual tuition costs.
| University | Average annual tuition fees in GBP |
| Teesside University | £13,000 |
| University of Cumbria | £10,000 – £13,250 |
| Leeds Beckett University | £14,000 – £15,000 |
| Staffordshire University | £12,000 – £14,500 |
| University of Chester | £13,000 |
Please note: The tuition fees listed here are subject to change and are at the discretion of respective universities. For the latest updates, check the official website of the desired university.
How to apply to UK Universities that accept low grades?
In this section, we will discuss some of the best ways to apply to UK universities despite low grades. So, skim through this section carefully and choose the option that best suits your academic profile.
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Submit a UCAS clearing application
For students who want to go to the UK for studies but have poor grades, clearing UCAS is a useful solution. This option is also applicable to those who have not received an offer from a UK university. The procedure by which UK institutions fill any open spots on their programs is called UCAS clearing. Students who previously were not able to achieve the admissions standards due to poor grades are allowed to apply during the clearing period, which runs from July to October every year.
Students may be given a spot in the programs that are currently open since institutions seek to fill any open space in their courses. On the UCAS website, interested students can look up universities and programs that are accessible via clearing. They can also get in touch with the preferred colleges directly to figure out if their academic standing qualifies them for an invitation through clearing.
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Apply for pathway programs
Another good choice for students who want to pursue a university in the UK for studies but find it difficult to do so due to lower grades or not obtaining the required grades in the subject areas is to apply for foundation and pathway programs. Here are the two main categories of pathway programs that you may explore.
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Foundation programs
In the UK, foundation programs are preparatory programs that assist foreign students in enrolling in undergraduate programs at UK universities. These programs serve as a link between the existing credentials and the UK’s undergraduate degree admission requirements.
Quintessentially, it is a one-year program created to fill in academic shortcomings and boost English proficiency in order to prepare students for taking undergraduate courses in the UK.
After completion of the program, foundation course providers ensure advancement onto a chosen undergraduate course. Numerous areas, spanning from business, law, economics, social science, medicine, pharmacy, and engineering to the arts and humanities, are covered in the courses offered.
Top universities offering foundation programs in the UK:
| University | QS World University Rankings 2024 |
| University of Edinburgh | |
| King’s College London | |
| Queen Mary, University of London | |
| Bath University | |
| University of Westminster |
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Preparation Courses for a Master’s or Pre-masters
Before enrolling in the preferred master’s degree program, students who do not have the academic prerequisites for postgraduate study at a UK university might take a pre-masters degree.
A pre-master’s course equips international students for postgraduate study by significantly enhancing their intellectual and English language abilities. Typically, these courses last from ten weeks to twelve months.
Top universities offering Pre-masters in the UK:
| University | Tuition fees for the entire course duration in GBP |
| Oxford Brookes University | £6,400 approx. |
| London Metropolitan University | £10,000 approx. |
| Queen Mary University of London | £10,000 approx. |
| University of Newcastle | £25,000 approx. |
| University of Brighton | £14,500 approx. |
| University of Surrey | £15,000 approx. |
| Liverpool International College | £20,000 approx. |
Please note: The tuition fees listed here are subject to change and are at the discretion of respective universities. For the latest updates, check the official website of the desired university.
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Apply for a master’s program in these universities overlooking low GPAs
Some universities in the UK offer admission to their master’s programs to international students with lower GPAs as well. So, if you haven’t graduated with first-class honors, you don’t need to give up on your dreams of studying abroad.
So, you may still study in the UK, by virtue of the following UK universities.
| University | Minimum requirement |
| Bedfordshire University | Good honors degree |
| Anglia Ruskin University | Lower second-class honors degree |
| Bishop Grosseteste University | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.6 |
| Birkbeck, University of London | Second-class honors degree |
| De Montfort University | Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.8 (for some course, a minimum GPA of 3.2 may be required ) |
| Leeds Beckett University | Second-class honors degree |
Please note: The eligibility criteria listed here are subject to change and are at the discretion of respective universities. For the latest updates, check the official website of the desired university.
Don’t allow your poor academic performance to prevent you from enrolling in a prominent UK university. If you are determined to make amends, you still have a chance to redeem yourself and enhance your career prospects.
To discover a desired UK university degree and continue your study in the UK, get in touch with MSM Unify overseas education counselors. Also, read more of our insightful blogs to explore your choices. Good luck!
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